The NHL saw record growth during the 2023-24 season in attendance, revenue, and viewership. Despite battling for attention with the NBA during its playoffs, the NHL has drawn bigger interest than ever.
Behind the scenes, NHL general managers are in charge of player transactions, team finances, and media. With that responsibility and pressure in mind, the highest-paid NHL GMs are earning salaries much higher than the $775K minimum salary of players.
Lightning GM Julien BriseBois is the highest-paid NHL GM with an estimated $3.5 million salary. BriseBois manages a team with the third-highest total cap allocations at $82.6 million. Tampa Bay has used their salary cap wisely, winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021.
Second is Jim Nill of the Stars, who earns a projected $3.2 million annually managing player contracts and other GM duties. Nill has been in his role with Dallas since 2013 and was awarded the General Manager of the Year award for the second straight year in 2024.
Two GMs are tied for third. Lou Lamoriello of the Islanders and Doug Armstrong of the Blues each earn an estimated $3 million annually.
Lamoriello has been the GM of the Devils and Maple Leafs before his current tenure with New York. He was named to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009 in the builder’s category for his skills as a GM.
Armstrong started his GM career with the Stars in 1990-1991 before they relocated to Dallas. He was named General Manager of the Year in 2013 and was part of the 1999 Stars staff that won the Stanley Cup.
Rounding out the top five is Don Sweeney earning an estimated $2.9 million per year. He’s been with the Bruins since 2015 and played most of his career with them as well.
Boston’s $65 million in total cap allocations is the lowest for a team with a GM among the top 10 highest-paid.
Ranking The Highest-Paid General Mangers in the NHL
Here is the entire list of the highest-paid NHL GMs, along with the cap allocations they are overseeing. The list was compiled with data from NBC Sports and Spotrac.
- Updated: June 18, 2024
| Rank | Name | Team Managed | Total Cap Allocations | Total Compensation |
| 1 | Julien BriseBois | Tampa Bay Lightning | $82.6 million | $3.5 million |
| 2 | Jim Nill | Dallas Stars | $69.2 million | $3.2 million |
| T-3 | Lou Lamoriello | New York Islanders | $82.8 million | $3.0 million |
| T-3 | Doug Armstrong | St. Louis Blues | $72.1 million | $3.0 million |
| 5 | Don Sweeney | Boston Bruins | $65 million | $2.9 million |
| 6 | Kyle Dubas | Pittsburgh Penguins | $74.7 million | $2.8 million |
| 7 | Don Waddell | Columbus Blue Jackets | $65.8 million | $2.7 million |
| 8 | Ken Holland | Edmonton Oilers | $75.2 million | $2.6 million |
| 9 | Brian MacLellan | Washington Capitals | $80.5 million | $2.5 million |
| 10 | Kelly McCrimmon | Vegas Golden Knights | $85.1 million | $2.4 million |
| 11 | Rob Blake | Los Angeles Kings | $65.1 million | $2.3 million |
| 12 | Bill Guerin | Minnesota Wild | $79.6 million | $2.2 million |
| 13 | Bill Zito | Florida Panthers | $68.1 million | $2.1 million |
| T-14 | Danny Briere | Philadelphia Flyers | $87.8 million | $2.0 million |
| T-14 | Doug Wilson | San Jose Sharks | $49.7 million | $2.0 million |
| T-16 | Jeff Gorton | New York Rangers | $76.6 million | $1.9 million |
| T-16 | Tom Fitzgerald | New Jersey Devils | $66.4 million | $1.9 million |
| T-18 | Steve Yzerman | Detroit Red Wings | $61 million | $1.8 million |
| T-18 | Joe Sakic | Colorado Avalanche | $78.7 million | $1.8 million |
| 20 | Barry Trotz | Nashville Predators | $64.1 million | $1.7 million |
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